Aparatus for display signs, scoreboards, and the like



, AND THE LIKE] Nov. 18', 1941.

V. H. A. VON TADDEN APPARATUS FOR DISPLAY SIGNS, SCOREBOARDS Filed July 22, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l H. I I. W oooo I 0000 9000 1 5 0000 @006 0000 @000 0000 2 0000 000 0006, @000 0'00 Q 0000 4 Q ooto i 000. 0000 J @000 a OOOOQ W INVENTOR.

FIG.3

Nov '1s,1941. v.H.A.vo- T'ADDEN 2,263,281

APPARATUS -FOR DISPLAY SIGNS, SCOREBOARDS, AND THE LIKE Filed July 22, 1940 5 Shgets-Sheet 2 I I s 5 us I IIG I lol FIG. 5

. INVENTOR 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR. Ar am Nov. 18, 1941- v. H. A. VON TADDEN APPARATUS FOR DISPLAY SIGNS, SCOREBOARDS, AND THE LIKE Filed July 22 Wilda LQ G o o o o o o o o o I o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 0 00 o o o o o o o 0 o o o o o o M o o o o o o o o C o 0 o C o o o o o o o o o o o o C C C C n M 3 5 7 m m u M o o o o o o o o o o o o IZIn-viwImIzlz-viv-uIvIz-z-w-ZIa h O O O o O 0.00 O o O o O Q C C C C C C, C C C 2 4 6 8 w m M 0 2 4 o o o o o o o o o o l l 2 2 2 o o o o o o o o o, o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o 0 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 2 o o o o o o o o o w o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o no 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 K. m o o o 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o n w. o o o o o o o o o o 0 o 0 0 0 1 6 o o o o o o o o o o o o G O O 0 O O O o o o o o o o o o o oo o o 0 Q I F o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 0 oo o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o a o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o l 3 4 X a m C a a I8, 1941. v. H. VON TADDEN 2,263,281

SIGNS, SCOREBOARDS, AND THE LIKE APPARATUS FOR DISPLAY Nov.

Filed July 22, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 $55 $8558 5555 58 858.5 8. &o o 4 s a o. 4 Z 4 6 I I I l l 2 2 a a M. II R q I m N 08 G 0 0 0000 00000 9 W 000 0 0 00000 0 000 .v 3 5 M Ink 00000 0000 0 0 000 M r a m3 0000 0 00 00000 2 mm. A m WW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X u l Q, 00000 0 0 0 T A. 0 mr w III'II'4 0 000 00 0 00 000 0 N I 0 0o 0 0000 0 0 0 l 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 00 0000000 000 0 00000 0 0 00 0 000 000000 000 0 0 000000 000 0 00000 000 0 0000000 00 ML 3 Nov. 18-, 1941-, v. H. A. VON TADDEN APPARATUS FOR DISPLAY SIGNS SCOREBOARDS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 22, 1940 n wzoz mmotw; o m m N mm v m:- w wmoz zz 1., mzzm 95. 35.5 5E5 m m Hm w m mmotmS In. use:

mmoow Patented Nov. 18 1941 APPARATUS FOR DISPLAY. SIGNS,

BOARDS, ,AND THE LIKE. V

sooaE- L V Victor H. Al von Tadden, New York, N. Y. Application July 22, 1940, Serial No. 346,716- s'oiaims, (01.40-28) This invention relates in general to apparatus for display signs, score boards and the like, and is particularly concerned. with an apparatus in which light is channelled from a light source and selectively distributed to a mosaic display board:

in such a manner as to designate letters, characters or designs. The light channelling elements are arranged in series or unit blocks and capable of selection to represent specific letters, characters, designs, or portions thereof, a suflicient numberof such series or unit'blocks being arranged in suitable arelation to each other in such a manner that words, sentences, events and,

the like, or portions of ornamental designs may be readily displayed in illuminated correlation.

One of the objects of the present invention is to effect the manipulation and control of such equipment by means of control apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device in which the moving or the setting of the character or design selection equipment is operated automatically so that the char- A still further object of the present invention is to provide means for easily changing the mes sage displayed by the device. r

A further object of the deviceis to provide means included Within the device for easily changing the coloring of the various characters or designs displayed Whilethe device is in operation. r

There are many other features and objectsof the invention not specifically set'forth which will be apparent to those skilled "in the art, as the del scription of the invention progresses.

acters or designs displayed bythe mosaic will be controlled by the selection equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a displaydevice wherein the likelihood or chance of inaccuracy is very remote. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device which'is made up ofarelay and other electrical apparatus of long proven qualities of endurance and dependability.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of remote control means for manipulating the display apparatus or mosaic from-a remote point. i

'A still further object is to provide novel and improved means for displaying a series of characters which are automatically selected and displayed in succession. I

Another object resides in the novel combination of parts and circuits employed for displaying characters at pre-determined intervals of time.

Still another object resides in the provision of novel and improved means for displaying a message information upon a displaysign including a detachable portion of the sign upon which certain information is displayed. l

A further object is to provide a device which can be manufactured economically and possesses the qualities of simplicity and durability. I

Another object of the present invention is the provision of means for enabling'the display device to repeat a series of characters or message automatically operations.

after making a complete cycleof der partly broken away.

I attain these and other objects by a mechanism illustrative of several embodiments of the invention shownon the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specificationin which:

Figure '1 is afront view of the apparatus showing certain of the elements filled in solid for the characters selected, and apart of thesign broken away to show more cl'earlythe control mechanism for automatically operating the-device.

Figure 2 is a sectional view-of Figure l at the line 2--2 showing one side of the control mecha- Figure 3 is a circuitdiagram illustrating the electrical connections of the mechanism Within the display apparatus.

Figure 4 is a side view ofthe mosaic'showingl partof the casing removed and the control cylin- Figure 5 is a sectional view of Figure 4 along the line 5-5showing the source of light, light channelling elements, detachable code strips within the cylinder, a plurality of coloring elements, and other elements of the structure.

\ Figure 6 is a view taken alongthe line 66 of Figure 4 showing the arrangement of the light channelling elements. i

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional. view illustrating the Way that the shoe, cylinder code strip and:

coloring strips are assembled.

Figure 11 is a partial sectional view of the ap-. paratus of Figure 10 atJthe line H-H. r

Figure 12 is a sectional view of Figure 1 taken along the line |2|2 showing certain of the operating mechanism used in conjunction with a plurality of mosaic units.

Figure 13 is a front view of a typical score board and control panel therefore according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail view of one of the control switches shown on the control board in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an electric diagram illustrating the connection between a control switch and the selecting drum of one mosaic unit.

Similar numerals of reference, are employed to designate similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

For convenience of illustration and explanation, I have herein shown and described my invention as applied to the illuminative control of thirty-five unit blocks or groupings in series of twenty-five light channelling elements each, it being understood that each unit block or series, might represent any combination or plurality of such light channelling elements forming a component'part of a sign, score board, ornamental designor other devices for illumination, so that I do not limit myself in this respect; In other words I do not restrict myself to the display of letters and characters alone as herein depicted, since the same method and apparatus may be used forsigns and decorative devices in which change of effect is desirable, and likewise any desired number of light channelling elements, or equivalent visualizing devices may be grouped in a series or block. And in this connection it is to be understood that by the term light channelling elements as used herein, I wish to include and designate lucite or any other suitable visualizing device that may be substituted therefor.

With this understanding, I herein show on Figures 1, 2 and 12 one embodiment of my invention as a sign having a plurality of mosaic units mounted on a frame structure 52, with screws 54 and having a removable strip 53 thereon which may be used as a fixed sign or advertising display. The frame or housing 52 carries a plurality of cross members 55, as shown in Figures 2 and 12, which have attached thereto, by means of studs 58, a plurality of rotatably intermediate driving gears 56 which mesh with the mosaic unit gear 51 mountedon the mosaic unit 5| as will be described in detail in conjunction with the mosaic unit.

At the rear portion of the structure 52 and adjacent to the mosaic unit'5l are mounted a plurality of electric receptacles 59 connected to a source of electric power by means of the cable 69, mounted within the frame 52. Over the mosaic units 5|, I have shown a motor 6|, Figures 1, 2 and 3, having attached thereto a gear box 62 by means of a clutch 63 which drives the speed reducing mechanism within the box 62. Fixedly mounted, on oneside of the gear box, on a shaft is a cam 64 which operates the switching contacts 12, 13 and 14 within the casing 65 by means of a lever 61 which is pivoted at the stud 68 and has attached on one end thereof an electric insulating member 69, and on the opposite end of the lever 61 is'mounted a rotatable roller 10. Attached to the lever 61 and at the portion comprising the number 69 is a spring 1| having one end thereof fastened to the frame 52 so that the roller 19 will always be in contact with the cam 64. The functioning of these parts will be better understood from -the description of the electric circuit diagram wherein I describe in detail the purpose of the operating mechanism within the frame 52.

Referring to Figure 1 specifically, I have shown in solid as black discs certain of the mosaic elements forming the letters S, H, O and E, which are made up of the light channelling elements having light passing through them, those which do not have light passing through them at this particular setting I have shown as circles in order to better illustrate the characters formed in the mosaic.

Now refer to Figure 3, the switching contacts 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and a dash pot relay 11 are all mounted within the switch casing 65.

The motor 6| is shown connected on one side of the winding through the conductor 89 to the contact 12 to the contact 13 by way of conductor 88 to the battery by means of conductors 86 and 81 and the opposite side of the motor winding is connected to ground by means of conductors 9|, 92 and 95, thus making a complete circle and. causing the motor 6| to operate.

As soon as the motor 6| starts to revolve, the clutch 63 transmits the rotation to the gear box starting the cam 64 rotating and when the high part of the cam 64 comes in contact with the roller 10 mounted on the lever 61, which is fulcrumed on the stud 6B, the roller end of the lever 61 moves upward and the opposite end of the lever having a member 69 mounted thereon moves downward thereby opening the circuit between the contacts 12 and 13 stopping the motor. At this time the contact 13 transfers battery potential to contact 14 thence to the dash pot relay 11, by means of the conductor 93 and to ground by means of the conductors 94 and 95 making a complete circuit and operating the dash pot relay 11. The dash pot relay 11 includes a slow moving solenoid as is well known in the art, having one end of the plunger at 96 making contact with the electric insulator 91 mounted on the contact spring 19 and closing the contacts 15 and 16 when the relay operates.

When the contacts 15 and 16 are closed the contact 15 is connected to battery by means of conductors 66 and 81, and contact 15 is connected to the motor winding by means of conductors and B9; and back to ground through conductors 9|, 92 and thus completing another circuit and again starting the motor 6|, causing the cam 64 to rotate and transfer the engagement of contact 13 from contact 14 to contact 12.

As soon as the high part on the rotating cam 64 moves out from under the roller 10, the spring 1|, which keeps the roller 1'0 in contact with the surface of the cam causes the contact 13 to move away from the contact -14 and break the circuit to the dash pot relay 11 and deenergize it and at the same time make contact with the contact 12 thus keeping the motor 6| operating and allowing the dash pot relay 11 to return to a normal unoperated position, thus making a complete cycle of operations. This cycle of operations is repeated automatically.

The conductors of Figure 3 are formed in cables 98, 99 and I09 in a manner well known in the electrical art.

Now refer to Figures 4 and 5 which show the mosaic unit, the numeral |9| indicates a frame having a panel I92 mounted on one end thereof by any suitable means. I have shown the frame |9| in two sections fastened together with a bonding plate I03 which is held in position in any suitable manner, as by the screws I04 for ease of assembly, however this bonding is not necessary as a one piece frame will function equally well. Rotatably mounted within the frame is a selecting cylinder or drum I05 having a series twenty-five apertures I arranged in a vertical row and I have shown four such series spaced at 90 degrees for illustrating purposes, however a greater or lesser number of apertures may be used with each series and more or less than four series of such apertures may be used. I

The drum I has a stud I01 fixedly mounted in one end thereof in any suitable manner and passes through a bearing "in the frame IflI and has a gear 51 mounted thereon and secured thereto by a pin I00. The gear 51 is the driving gear for the selecting unit. The opposite end of the selecting drum I05 is rotatably mounted over a ring H0 which is fixedly mounted to the frame IN by means of screws III. when the gear 51 of the mosaic unit is driven, the selecting drum I05 which is connected directly to the gear will also rotate.

An electric lamp H2 is mounted in a receptacle H3, and the receptacle H3 is mounted on the frame I 0| by means of the screws H4; The receptacle is connected to the plug IEO by means of the cable H5.

Within the frame and adjacent to the drum is a light shoe II'I having twenty-five apertures H8 therein, in alignment with the drum apertures I06 for mounting the light channelling elements I21, such composed of light conducting material as lucite.

The panel I02 has a plurality of apertures I20 Thus selecting drum I05 in Figure '7, I have shown a plurality of rows of apertures therein desigarranged as shown in Figures 1,6 and 8 and between the panel apertures I20 and the shoe apertures H8 are a plurality of lucite rods I2I which transmit the light from the electric lamp within the cylinder to the apertures in the panel and form a block or unit of light discs as shown in Figures 6 and 8. I

Within the selecting drum I05 is attached as by welding a series of code strip holders I22 mounted adjacentthe selecting drumapertures I06 as shown in Figures 5, ,10 and 11. In Figure 11, I have shown'the combination of the cylinder I05, light shoe III, the code bars I24, the coloring element I23 and the means for supporting. i I

A code strip I24 is fitted in the code strip holder I22 and, if a colored character is desired, a coloring element I23, such as a colored translucent Celluloid, is inserted within the code strip holder I22 and next to the code strip I24.

A plurality of light shields 43 are mounted on either side of the mosaic unit and fastened to the frame IOI to prevent the light from escaping from the mosaic unit.

Thus a different colored element I23 may be, if desired, inserted in each of the different operating positions thereby giving a different color effect to each character displayed on the ends of the lucite rods I2I exposed through the panels I02 as will be apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring now to Figure 9 in which I have shown a few typical examples of code strips such,

These nated IC' to 25C. I I

For illustration I have shown twenty-five apertures throughout, although it will be understood that any number of apertures may be employed as found expedient in practice.

With this understanding I have herein shown on Figure 8, thirty-five unit blocks arranged in five horizontal rows designated respectively BI, B2, B3, B4 and B5 and designated the light channelling ends in each series or-block by the consecutive numerals 1 to 25, although both the apparatus and principle are adapted to any number of rows or blocks and any number of blocks in a row, as may be found most expedient in practice. Each light channelling end in each block is connected to the source of light filament I44 through the light shoe I I1. I I

For example, let it be assumed that the first four code strips shown in Figure 9 are inserted into the code strip holder I22 in the cylinder I05 and the first code strip with apertures therein to form the character A is in the position of the mosaic unit shown in Figure 5 and the code strip E is in the second position, F is in the third position, and G is in the fourth position of the selecting cylinder. The first letter which the light channelling elements expose would be the letter A and after the cylinder has rotated 90,

degrees, the light would pass through the code strip and form the letter E on the mosaic followed by the letters F and G as the cylinder continues to rotate and thus the selecting cylinder completes a cycle of operations, the characters repeating themselves during subsequent rotations of the cylinder.

It is obvious that sufficient cylinder apertures,

clips, and code strips could be used to form a complete alphabet, numeral or character units or any combination if so desired. I

Referring to Figure 13 which shows another embodiment of my invention applied to a typical base ball score board, with mosaic units mounted thereon and acontrol panel which may be situ- I ated at a distance from the display board for merals 1, to 12 indicating the number of runs for each inning. I

The control panel I3I has markings thereon to correspond with the markings on the score board, and control switches I32 are positioned on the control panel I 3| corresponding to the mosaic unit 5| which has eleven series of apertures in this embodiment, in the score board I30.

The score board apparatus could be operated directly by manually rotating the cylinder I05 to the desired position,

One of the aforementioned switches I32 is shown somewhat enlarged. in Figure 14, having a pointer on one end thereof and markings indicating the numerals 1 to 9 and 0 inclusive and a blank position designated B, Thus when the pointer of any control switch I32 is turned, for

example, to .the numeral 6', the corresponding mosaic unit will display the numeral 6 on the mosaic as will be clearly apparent from the detailed description of the schematic electric diagram shown inFigure 15.

In Figure there is represented one of the complete mosaic control units shown in diagrammatic form including a transmitter I34 and a receiver unit I35 for remotely indicating settings of the transmitter by selectively positioning a drum I05 of the mosaic unit 5i.

The transmitter I34 may be of the type having means for varying the relative distribution of the currents transmitted by the conductors I36, I31 and I38 in accordance with the angular position of the transmitter control element I32.

7 The transmitter illustrated comprises a resistor I39, only a portion of which is shown for the sake of simplicity, a toroidally wound upon a ring or annular form I40 and a rotatable member I43:

having wiper contacts MI and I42 which are connected to a source of current and adapted to engage the resistor I39, in accordance with the setting of the control element I32. 7

The rotatable member I43 which is insulated from the wipers MI and I62 and is connected mechanically to the control switch I32 in any suitable manner such that it rotates in unison therewith.

The wiper I42 makes contact with a feeder ring plurality of rows of apertures I33 equal in numher to the number of setta'ble positions of the transmitting unit I34, each of the rows of apertures being associated with a code strip I24 adapt-2;

ed to control the illumination of the light channelling rods I2I to form the digits 1, to 9 and 0. on the mosaic, a code strip I2 3 having no apertures therein being employed for blocking the light rays from all of the elements I2I wheni the selecting drum is in its blank position.

From the foregoing description it is clear that by turning the transmitter switch I32 to a position corresponding to any numeral on the control panel, the cylinder I35 of the mosaic unit will? move to a corresponding position thereby displayed a numeral on the mosaic unit in accordance with the setting of the transmitter switch.

-Each of the mosaic units of Figure. 13 is separately controlled by an associated transmitter. I34, all of the control circuits I35, I37 and I38 being included preferably within the cable I33j Also a single battery I28 may be employed for all of the transmitters the wires I2'I and i223 being employed for establishing the circuit connections from the battery to the feeder rings 38 and 39 respectively of each of the transmitters.

While this invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various changes may be made with-' out departing from the spirit or scope of the invention and it is to be understood that the terms employed in the claims are terrns of description rather than terms of limitation,

iii;

I claim: 4 I V .1. In an apparatus of the character disclosed,

comprising a plurality of mosaic units each unit having a plurality of apertures therein, a selecting cylinder rotatably mounted and having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of character code clips mounted within said selecting cylinder adjacent said cylinder apertures, a plurality of code strips for selecting characters and the like disposed within said clips and actuated by said cylinders to a selection position, a light shoe having apertures therein mounted within said mosaic unit and adjacent to said selecting cylinders and adapted to be brought in alignment with said cylinder apertures, a source of light within said cylinder, a plurality of light channelling elements having one end thereof inserted within said shoe apertures and the opposite end thereof exposedly mounted within said panel apertures and means for selectively operating said cylinder to cause certain of the light channelling elements to be illuminated in accordance with the character represented by the code strip in said selected position.

2. In a changeable sign of the characted disclosed, a plurality of mosaic units comprising a plurality of panels having a plurality of apertures thereon, a selecting cylinder rotatably mounted and having a plurality of apertures therein "irough which characters and numerals are selected, a plurality of code strips for selecting said characters and numerals, means for mounting the code strips within said cylinder, 2. light shoe having a plurality of apertures therein adapted to be brought in alignment with the apertures of said cylinder as the cylinder rotates, said light shoe being mounted within said mosaic unit and adjacent to said selecting cylinder, a plurality of light channelling elements having one end thereof inserted in said apertures of the light shoe and the opposite end thereof exposedly mounted within the apertures of said panel, a source of light, and means including a motor for causing said cylinder to rotate and bring said code strips successively into operation relation with said light channelling elements whereby the characters or numerals represented by the code strip is displayed on said mosaic unit by light received from said source.

3. In a mosaic unit, a separable frame, panels having a plurality of apertures therein mounted on said frame, a selecting cylinder rotatably mounted and having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of code clips mounted within said cylinder and adjacent said cylinder apertures, a plurality of code strips positioned within said cylinder and disposed within said code clips for selecting characters and the like, a light shoe having apertures therein mounted within said mosaic unit, a source of light within said cylinder,

a plurality of light channelling elements having one end thereof inserted in said shoe apertures and the opposite end exposedly mounted in said panel apertures and means for operating said cylinder to cause various characters to be displayed on said mosaic.

4. In an apparatus of the character disclosed, comprising a plurality of mosaic units each unit having a plurality of apertures therein, a selecting cylinder rotatably mounted and having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of character code clips mounted within said selecting cylinder adjacent said cylinder apertures, a plurality of code strips for selecting characters and the like disposed within said clips and actuated by said cylinder to a selection position, a light shoe having apertures therein mounted within said mosaic unit and adjacent to said selecting cylinders and adapted to be brought in alignment with said cylinder apertures, a source of light Within said cylinder, a plurality of light channelling elements having one end thereof inserted within said shoe apertures and the opposite end thereof exposedly mounted within said panel apertures, means for effecting the coloring of the various light channelling elements and means for selectively operating said cylinder to cause certain of the light channelling elements to be illuminated in color in accordance with the character represented by the code strip in said selected position. i

5. In a changeable sign of the character disclosed, a plurality of mosaic units comprising a plurality of panels having a plurality of apertures therein, a selecting cylinder rotatably mounted and having a plurality of apertures therein through which characters and numerals are selected, a plurality of coloring elements for coloring said characters and numerals, a plurality of code strips for selecting said characters and numerals, means for mounting the said colorin elements and said code strips Within said cylinder, a light shoe having a plurality of apertures therein adapted to be brought in alignment with the apertures of said cylinder as the cylinder rotates, said light shoe being mounted within said mosaic unit and adjacent to said selecting cylinder, a plurality of light channelling elements having one end thereof inserted in said apertures of the light shoe and the opposite end thereof e'xposedlymounted within the apertures of said panel, a source of light, and means including a motor for causing said, cylinder to rotate and bring said code strips successively into operation relation with said light channelling elements whereby the characters or numerals represented by the code strip is displayed on said mosaic unit, in' color, by light received from, said source.

VICTOR i. A. VON TADDEN. 

